Court Orders Sowore To Open Defence In Tinubu Defamation Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to open his defence in the criminal defamation case filed against him over alleged defamatory remarks against President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Mohammed Umar gave the order on Thursday after rejecting an application by Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, who had asked the court to adjourn the matter until after its forthcoming vacation.

The judge directed that the trial should continue on a day-to-day basis in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Naija News reports that the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) is expected to formally open his defence on Friday, June 5.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false and defamatory claims against President Tinubu.

The case followed posts allegedly published on Sowore’s 𝕏 and Facebook accounts, where he was accused of describing the President as “a criminal.”

At Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), told the court that the matter had been adjourned to June 4 to await the response of the Chief Judge to a letter written by the defendant.

According to Kehinde, Sowore had written the letter on May 19, 2026, asking that the case be reassigned to another judge.

The senior advocate said he was served on May 26 with a copy of the Chief Judge’s response dated May 22, in which the request was declined.

He said the Chief Judge directed the trial court to continue hearing the case.

Kehinde thereafter urged the court to ask the defendant to proceed with his defence.

Responding, Sowore’s counsel, Abubakar, argued that part of the Chief Judge’s letter advised the defendant to file a formal application so that the matter could be addressed in open court.

He also asked the court to adjourn the case until after the court’s vacation, saying the adjournment would enable his client to participate in next year’s presidential election.

But Kehinde opposed the request, arguing that the Chief Judge’s letter did not direct the defendant to file any application for the judge to recuse himself.

He also maintained that the criminal case before the court had nothing to do with ongoing political activities.

“The letter from the Chief Judge of this court did not ask the defendant or his counsel to file an application for recusal. So, it is disingenuous for counsel to read into the letter an interpretation that the Chief Judge did not include,” Kehinde said.

After listening to both parties, Justice Umar requested a copy of the Chief Judge’s response and examined it in court.

The judge agreed with the prosecution and held that the interpretation given to the letter by Sowore’s counsel was incorrect.

“From the content of the letter, there is nowhere the defendant is asked to file an application before this court.

“This court is not denying the defendant the right to file any application. This can be done anytime before judgment,” the judge held.

Justice Umar said the matter had reached the stage where the defendant was expected to enter his defence.

He consequently directed Sowore to proceed with his defence.

After the ruling, Abubakar again asked the court to adjourn the matter until after the court’s vacation.

Kehinde opposed the application, insisting that the law required the defence to proceed.

“The law is that the defendant shall proceed with his defence. There is no option. We are ready. There is no room for dilatory practice for a defendant facing a criminal trial,” the senior advocate said.

He added that the only option available to the defence was to either proceed or risk being foreclosed.

“The option left at this point is for the defence to continue or simply be foreclosed. It is either they continue or they are foreclosed,” Kehinde said.

Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter till June 5 for Sowore to open his defence.